Losing its luster a bit. A full mouthful of Syrah that is showing injections of oak and spice that overwhelm the fruit. Guigal usually balances this effortlessly - this just doesn’t have the stuffing. Good with short ribs but drink if you have them - ain’t going nowhere good. Good wine but not Marcel’s best. (89)
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Beautiful deep ruby color. Veloptuous, modern nose that’s filled with ripe blackberries, vanilla oak spice and graham crackers. Stylish, rich and ripe with good flavor depth and a nice finishing zip. This is a very good version of modern Saint Joseph yet I just can’t overlook the rather ubiquitous nature of this bottle. Could have really shined if more typicity was allowed to show. Excellent but blah at the same time. If you like the style, you will rate it higher. Really good for the style. (91)
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From an OWC. When I uncorked it I was amazed by the condition of the cork - looks very clean and new with good elasticity as a 15YO. The colour is still pretty young, medium ruby with slight purplish hint, no sign of age from the colour at all. Good aromas from the nose, mix of violets, flower petals, dark fruits and a bit of meatiness. Not those pungent pepper syrah for sure. Tannin is quite well integrated and not astringent nor vigorous now. Medium acidity
However I feel the mid palate isn't matching the expectation from the aroma - something is missing but I cannot tell exactly. Is it at a closed stage or it's the underlying complexity issue? Not 100% sure so I will give it a benefit of doubts. More fresh pepper note towards the end of the bottle. It's a great wine on the nose but less so on the palate. Given the youthful appearance I will save and revisit the rest of the case in a few year's time. 15.5+/20
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Dark fruited and dense on the nose with chocolate, vanilla, blackberry liqueur, salt cured olives, dark cherries, and if you look hard enough, some meatiness and heme underneath the thick layer of wood. On the palate, to call it full bodied is an understatement. It's structured, powerful, corpulent, rich, and glossy and for me comes across to me overworked. That said, this is extremely well made in a style I actively dislike. There is great material underneath all the winemaking. Lovers of SQN, this is right in the wheelhouse and a terrific bargain in that style.
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Rich nose and deep color. Nice fruit, savory flavors and pepper spice. Good structure with some tannins that should cause the wine to age well over the next 5 years. Needs a 30-60 minute decant.
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A kaleidoscope of dark fruit, earth and oak spice announces a plush yet very serious wine. Big, modern Saint Joseph that has more than enough character and verve to keep a classicist happy. Big, bold and balanced - how often can one say that. Terrific winter wine. (93)
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Round, silky and delicious. Deeply colored with classic pepper and dark fruit elements. Creamy texture and oak spice are elements of this wine that point to elevage. Very popular with the group and I like it as well. Striking to drink this next to the Corton. I love them both and glad to be able to experience two wines made well in different styles. (93)
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Annual Christmas Dinner at the Ngu's 2015 (Wimborne): Drank this without any notion or inkling of the background or critics' scores. Pop and pour. Drank over 1+ hour. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs. Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of ripe dark red cherries, black cherry, dark earth, woody oak spice, meatiness, and slight floral notes. Developing. On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (13%), smooth medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe dark red cherries, black cherries, black pepper, spice, dark earth, meat. Long finish. Very good quality wine, more like a super-charged St. Joseph or a mini-Hermitage. Well, I understand why the purists/terroirists would give this the thumbs down, and on the other hand you have RP handing out a 96 score. Give this a long decant if drinking now, or keep for another 4-5 years. 30 months in new oak barrels. From a monopoly of the best terroirs adjoining what were previously the Jean-Louis Grippat and Vallouit estates. Terroir has a geological formation similar to the famous Bessards slopes in Hermitage.
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What the heck is this? It ain't St. Joseph but follows Guigal's over extracted highly ripe methods .. purple dense grape fruit with a dollop of oak. Too bad I have one more bottle. Remains primary. I guess give it another five years, although I'm not sure what for.
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I had this four years ago and thought that it will need another five years of cellaring. This has developed nicely. The barrel note has subsided a lot and now only a hint of cedar. Intense sweet black fruits, crushed blueberries, blueberry liquor, licorice, ink and mineral. Excellent concentration, intense blue fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and sweet clean finish. Still quite young and will benefit from another five years of cellaring. A bit denser and riper than a typical St. Joseph. Quite enjoyable.
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We opened and let it sit for an hour, poured early before the meal. The meal was leisurely, all really enjoyed the wine. It did have a bit Southern Rhone tinge to it, but we all loved it. The fruit was definitely there but not over the top and I feel it will last another 20 years but is enjoyable now with enough time to the air. This isn't a La La, not priced like one either.
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Still far too young. OK but not worth the price that ypu pay for the Guigal name. No one would guess this was from St Joseph-----more SRhone. If you have any,lock away for at least 5 more years
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Hint of Ash assuming coming from the barrel, very concentrated blue fruit. If you really breadth deep and stick your nose to it, you can being of St. Joseph flower and mineral. It will require at least five more years of aging to express the terroir. The wine showed alot better on the second day both texturally and fruit expression.
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Keith's Blind Challenge (The Square, London): Keith's Blind Challenge. Purple, dark, dense. Very ripe fruit. Could be southern rhone. Young and full on. Oaky. Doesn't reflect it's terroir. *(**1/2)
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Very dark color similar to the Chapoutier. Smoother and more approachable. Enormous amounts of fruit that is uncharacteristic for St. Joseph. This was the biggest disappointment for me….I love the La Las and like the other higher-end Guigals recognizing their style but in this lineup this wine seemed too sweet and clumsy and overpriced. To be fair others liked this much more than me.
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10/15/2023 - MJReb wrote: 91 Points
Chez Zim: spicy, structured dark fruit, tannins and remaining acidity. Somehow rustic.
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9/2/2023 - dbkitc wrote: 89 Points
Losing its luster a bit. A full mouthful of Syrah that is showing injections of oak and spice that overwhelm the fruit. Guigal usually balances this effortlessly - this just doesn’t have the stuffing. Good with short ribs but drink if you have them - ain’t going nowhere good. Good wine but not Marcel’s best. (89)
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8/19/2023 - zorglub123 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking very well now
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4/11/2023 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a gorgeous 18 year old Syrah from Northern Rhône. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel now.
Inky in color and dry on the palate, with medium acidity.
Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, light vegetables, coffee, light cola and peppercorn.
Feels much younger than it is, and really delicious now. Nicely balanced, rich and powerful.
Wine Spectator 93 points. Robert Parker 96 points.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly. Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.
Good by itself or with food. A great sipping wine.
100% Syrah grapes were aged in new oak barrels for 30 months.
13% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$90.
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9/11/2022 - LT98 wrote: 89 Points
Nothing wrong per se, but lacking terroir. too much oak. Too modern for my tastes. Disappointing.
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11/2/2021 - dbkitc wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful deep ruby color. Veloptuous, modern nose that’s filled with ripe blackberries, vanilla oak spice and graham crackers. Stylish, rich and ripe with good flavor depth and a nice finishing zip. This is a very good version of modern Saint Joseph yet I just can’t overlook the rather ubiquitous nature of this bottle. Could have really shined if more typicity was allowed to show. Excellent but blah at the same time. If you like the style, you will rate it higher. Really good for the style. (91)
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12/7/2020 - Sennma wrote:
Aging quite nicely. Now moving to secondary development, thinking that this still has another 10 years to go.
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8/17/2020 - derekastoria Likes this wine:
From an OWC. When I uncorked it I was amazed by the condition of the cork - looks very clean and new with good elasticity as a 15YO. The colour is still pretty young, medium ruby with slight purplish hint, no sign of age from the colour at all. Good aromas from the nose, mix of violets, flower petals, dark fruits and a bit of meatiness. Not those pungent pepper syrah for sure. Tannin is quite well integrated and not astringent nor vigorous now. Medium acidity
However I feel the mid palate isn't matching the expectation from the aroma - something is missing but I cannot tell exactly. Is it at a closed stage or it's the underlying complexity issue? Not 100% sure so I will give it a benefit of doubts. More fresh pepper note towards the end of the bottle. It's a great wine on the nose but less so on the palate. Given the youthful appearance I will save and revisit the rest of the case in a few year's time. 15.5+/20
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11/19/2019 - cct wrote:
Dark fruited and dense on the nose with chocolate, vanilla, blackberry liqueur, salt cured olives, dark cherries, and if you look hard enough, some meatiness and heme underneath the thick layer of wood. On the palate, to call it full bodied is an understatement. It's structured, powerful, corpulent, rich, and glossy and for me comes across to me overworked. That said, this is extremely well made in a style I actively dislike. There is great material underneath all the winemaking. Lovers of SQN, this is right in the wheelhouse and a terrific bargain in that style.
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7/23/2019 - lifebreath wrote: 92 Points
Rich nose and deep color. Nice fruit, savory flavors and pepper spice. Good structure with some tannins that should cause the wine to age well over the next 5 years. Needs a 30-60 minute decant.
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1/5/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Another Saturday at Chevalier...Mostly Blind Rhone Varietals (Chevalier Fine Wines - Chicago IL): Tasted double blind. Easily identifiable as Rhone Syrah with good+ weight, plenty of black cherry. Faint spice and good structure with a slightly firm finish and good+ length. Probably better to drink sooner vs cellaring longer-term.
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1/1/2019 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 92 Points
Definitely improving with time and could improve further. 13%
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3/6/2017 - dbkitc wrote: 93 Points
A kaleidoscope of dark fruit, earth and oak spice announces a plush yet very serious wine. Big, modern Saint Joseph that has more than enough character and verve to keep a classicist happy. Big, bold and balanced - how often can one say that. Terrific winter wine. (93)
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1/7/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 87 Points
Saturday Lunch with Friends and Wine (Happ Inn - Northfield IL): Small glass, brief note. Gamy and underbrushy with good concentration, but slightly lacking in fresh fruit for its age. I preferred this when younger.
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12/10/2016 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted. Still needs time. 13%
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6/8/2016 - dbkitc wrote: 93 Points
Round, silky and delicious. Deeply colored with classic pepper and dark fruit elements. Creamy texture and oak spice are elements of this wine that point to elevage. Very popular with the group and I like it as well. Striking to drink this next to the Corton. I love them both and glad to be able to experience two wines made well in different styles. (93)
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1/2/2016 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 93 Points
Annual Christmas Dinner at the Ngu's 2015 (Wimborne): Drank this without any notion or inkling of the background or critics' scores.
Pop and pour. Drank over 1+ hour.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of ripe dark red cherries, black cherry, dark earth, woody oak spice, meatiness, and slight floral notes. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (13%), smooth medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe dark red cherries, black cherries, black pepper, spice, dark earth, meat. Long finish.
Very good quality wine, more like a super-charged St. Joseph or a mini-Hermitage. Well, I understand why the purists/terroirists would give this the thumbs down, and on the other hand you have RP handing out a 96 score. Give this a long decant if drinking now, or keep for another 4-5 years.
30 months in new oak barrels.
From a monopoly of the best terroirs adjoining what were previously the Jean-Louis Grippat and Vallouit estates. Terroir has a geological formation similar to the famous Bessards slopes in Hermitage.
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4/27/2015 - antiwood Does not like this wine:
What the heck is this? It ain't St. Joseph but follows Guigal's over extracted highly ripe methods .. purple dense grape fruit with a dollop of oak. Too bad I have one more bottle. Remains primary. I guess give it another five years, although I'm not sure what for.
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11/12/2014 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points
I had this four years ago and thought that it will need another five years of cellaring. This has developed nicely. The barrel note has subsided a lot and now only a hint of cedar. Intense sweet black fruits, crushed blueberries, blueberry liquor, licorice, ink and mineral. Excellent concentration, intense blue fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and sweet clean finish. Still quite young and will benefit from another five years of cellaring. A bit denser and riper than a typical St. Joseph. Quite enjoyable.
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4/16/2013 - Dougak Likes this wine: 93 Points
We opened and let it sit for an hour, poured early before the meal. The meal was leisurely, all really enjoyed the wine. It did have a bit Southern Rhone tinge to it, but we all loved it. The fruit was definitely there but not over the top and I feel it will last another 20 years but is enjoyable now with enough time to the air. This isn't a La La, not priced like one either.
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5/28/2011 - keith prothero wrote: 88 Points
Still far too young. OK but not worth the price that ypu pay for the Guigal name. No one would guess this was from St Joseph-----more SRhone.
If you have any,lock away for at least 5 more years
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1/24/2011 - dcwino wrote: 91 Points
Hint of Ash assuming coming from the barrel, very concentrated blue fruit. If you really breadth deep and stick your nose to it, you can being of St. Joseph flower and mineral. It will require at least five more years of aging to express the terroir. The wine showed alot better on the second day both texturally and fruit expression.
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5/24/2010 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Black and red berries with floral and spice notes. Good+ power, moderate nuance. I think this is best to enjoy on the younger side.
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7/24/2009 - SimonG wrote:
Keith's Blind Challenge (The Square, London): Keith's Blind Challenge. Purple, dark, dense. Very ripe fruit. Could be southern rhone. Young and full on. Oaky. Doesn't reflect it's terroir. *(**1/2)
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4/7/2009 - Cheryl wrote:
1st Tuesday - Saint Joseph (PDH, New York City): Very nice.
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4/7/2009 - henrychinaski wrote: 89 Points
Very dark color similar to the Chapoutier. Smoother and more approachable. Enormous amounts of fruit that is uncharacteristic for St. Joseph. This was the biggest disappointment for me….I love the La Las and like the other higher-end Guigals recognizing their style but in this lineup this wine seemed too sweet and clumsy and overpriced. To be fair others liked this much more than me.
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